Chapter 5
Part 2- The Dawning
Pain in the moment
Can tear and burn
But the pain now
Is worth the gain later
It has been a fortnight. Mary and Benjamin, once again head to the copse of trees where they will find Hanna. Anna now. Benjamin’s walk is sure and steady. But beneath his assured demeanor, his courage shakes. He remains calm on the outside. Mary notices his under-lying anxiety, but does not mention it, knowing his pride would make him deny any sign of uneasiness. Mary herself, is not afraid. She knows Anna. Or at least she thinks she does. The Hanna of Yesterday would never leave her young daughter in the hands of her husband she clearly despises. But Hanna did that. And Mary’s gentle heart cannot forget that.
Mary knows nothing of these “Elements.” But she still believes in Anna’s goodness and wholesome character, despite her misdeed, which is why she is not afraid. Anna would never willingly, knowingly put Mary or Benjamin in danger. They are nearing the forest line. Benjamin’s step falters, but Mary urges him on.
“Come Ben.” she says quietly. “Anna will do no harm unto us. You know her as well as I. She loves you like a son, and me like a daughter. Without a doubt she will treat us as thus.” Mary’s nature is a calm, affectionate one. She is rarely sad, but spends her time making others happy. Light attaches to her, and she bestows that light and love to others. Benjamin’s temperament is less quiet, and more strong. He is the youngest of a number of siblings. Their overbearing aura has given Ben a strong tongue. At his core, his heart is gold, and all that are prime in his affections, cannot imagine being more loved or cared for. Mary is from a poor family. She is the eldest, and has a younger sister named Darling. Her and Benjamin have been friends for ages.
“I know Mary,” he says softly. “But it’s unnerving. You saw those orange flames licking her hands. That was not natural. It is the stuff of legends. And she said we can do that too. It’s off, quite frankly, Mary.”
“I agree.” she replied. “But my trust in Anna outdoes my strange feelings toward this.”
A playful noise filled the air. It sounds like ladies skirts swishing in a ballroom, or waves crashing onto sand. Through the trees an eerie blue light shines. Anna stands in the centre of a sphere of Water. It warps and bends as she moves her hands. They come closer. Her face is shiny with sweat and concentration. Suddenly, Earth joins the Water, and a dark, muddy pool swirls around her. Wind circles Anna, and Fire joins the fray. Her shoulders tighten, and with extreme effort, she shoves her hands forward and the Elements split, making four moving,writhing, individual columns, of each element. The walk has made Mary warm under her cloak. The weather has warmed up considerably since the last time they walked this path. She slips out of her cloak and hangs it on a nearby branch. Benjamin follows.
“Good evening.” says Anna in a weak voice. Her shoulders shake, but she straightens them. “Now, we begin. Tonight the rough work starts.” She turns her back to them, and faces the four columns. She gestures to them with a hand that is slowly becoming more steady. “These are the Four Elements in one of their purest forms, I hope you both slept well last night, because I daresay neither of your brains have been taxed as much as they will be to-night. One of you step forward.” Mary lets Benjamin go first, knowing his pride will -once again- be slighted, if she goes first. “We are going to be tapping into the back of your brain, as you touch different Elements, to see which ones you can control. You need to be focused, present, and courageous. Benjamin. Put your hand into the Water.” Slowly, Benjamin puts his hand into the pillar of Water. “Think about the sensations you are feeling. Think about what objects, animals, and lodgings you can create with Water….think Benjamin. Unlock your power.” Benjamin’s eyebrows knit in intense concentration. His long fingers move around in the water. “Pull your hand out son.” he pulls it out. “Retain what you felt, and try to make Water appear on your palm.” Benjamin looks to be in pain, so great is his focus. “No luck. This is normal. Only a few people can do it on their first try… you do feel it…. Right?” Mary has no idea what they are saying. But she knows her turn will come. So she waits patiently and listens.
“Yes. It feels like an iron string is wrapped around the nape of my neck.”
Mary comes forward, and puts her hand in Water. She concentrates. She pays attention to the feel of Water on her slender fingers. It feels like a soft caress, or a kiss. Suddenly, as if an iron claw has gripped her, her neck starts to throb. She keeps her hand in, as her whole body protests against the pain.
“Yes… Mary, you will be a very powerful Master of Water…” murmurs Anna. Mary’s legs shake, and Benjamin moves forward, as if to help her, but Anna holds up a hand and says, “Leave her. She is in the most crucial stage.”
Black dots fill Mary’s vision, as everything narrows down to the living, moving, Water. Instinct tells her to go into the pillar. She goes. The Water starts bending and pulsing around her. The cool feeling makes her pain stop, and hesitantly, again by instinct, she takes a breath and opens her eyes. She can breathe! Yet she is under water! Mary looks around, and see’s Benjamin outside of the Water with an expression of rapt attention. Anna looks satisfied. She gestures for Mary to come out.
“Try to command the Water to leave your garb.” says Anna, once Mary is out. “Focus. Then I want you to take the excess liquid, and command it into your palm.”
Mary closes her eyes, and the painful feeling is back. But it is less severe than before.
“Each time you use your Element, the pain will decrease, until it does not exist,” Anna says, confirming Mary’s suspicions.
She focuses on her wet dress, and thinks of her being in place of the hidden sun, drying the wetness. Steaming. Evaporating. The Water lifts. Her hair springs back into shape, and her dress regains its form. Mary’s eyes pop open, and she opens her palms to welcome the Water, her new power.
***
Until the sun dawned, Benjamin and Mary tried each column, in turn. With Benjamin, he could instantly control only Earth. But he gained the power of Air and Water too. Water was his weakest Element, and he only got it after many tries and much concentration. Air was neutral. Both Mary and Benjamin were burnt instantly after touching the pillar of Fire. Mary unlocked no more powers, but Anna said that her extreme power of Water would make up for that.
With dragging feet, full hearts, and exhausted but alert brains, Benjamin and Mary turned homewards. Both of their tired brains were hurriedly making up tales to excuse their being out so late.
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